Titans won all of their matches on Tuesday
Eastern Florida State College Titans Storm the NJCAA Nationals
The Tennessee‑dragging Titans kicked off their NJCAA Division I National run with a thunder‑clap on Tuesday at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center. Six singles players have already secured spots in the quarterfinals, and all three doubles combos are alive in the Round of 16.
Quick Fire Starts & Road‑Racing Resilience
Some students had to double‑up that day because Monday’s rain pulled the action out of the schedule. Those athletes went all‑in with a single match worth of high‑score drama to push through to the next round.
Alberto Perez Mellado: A Hot‑Handed Hero
- Opened with a 6-0, 6-0 brilliance.
- Faced a grueling third‑set battle.
- Won the final set 7-5 after a dramatic stalemate.
“It was a really difficult match, we reached the third set and it was tight as can be,” Perez recalled. He first knocked off his opponent 6‑4, then dropped the next set 6‑3, setting the stage for the nail‑biter. The twelve‑year‑old‑like Moses from Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Gonzalo Cotter, had a comeback push that tied it 5‑5. Perez then broke, pulled off a 6‑5 edge, and sealed it 7‑5.
Next Up
Tomorrow at 9 a.m., Perez will face Kodjo Charles Alipoe Tchotchodji of Iowa Central, the player who popped the third seed Cem Atlamis. The Titans look ready for more action, and the pressure is on. Good luck, Perez—show the world what the Eastern Florida flame can do!
EFSC’s Tennis Squad Storms the NJCAA Nationals
It got off to a bang in Florence, South Carolina, where the Eastern Florida State College men’s squad took the court for the NJCAA Division I National Tournament. Everyone was ready to show off, and the first day was a whirlwind of court‑action and celebration.
Filip Sormaz — The “Slam‑dunk” Serve
- Opened the day by blasting through a straight‑sets win, 6‑0, 6‑1.
- Faced No. 4 seed Angel Gautier of Wallace State after his first‑round victory.
- Used a thunder‑clap serve to claim the first set, 6‑4.
- The second set tumbled into a back‑and‑forth battle, tied at 6‑6 before the tiebreaker.
- “I kept my eye on the ball,” Sormaz grinned. “When the ball got called out at 5‑all I didn’t even care. I stuck to my game, closed it out, and took the 7‑6 win.”
Victory queued him up for the Wednesday quarterfinals against No. 5 seed Valentin Greco of Cowley College.
Alexandr Achour— Taking the Lead Against Harford
- Stepped onto the court as the No. 1 seed and battled Tristan Duval from Harford Community College.
- Initial set was a nail‑biter; each player broke the opponents’ serve in quick succession.
- Achour dived into the slick arena and clinched the final three points to seal the first set 6‑2.
- Down a point in the second set, he tacked on a long, grinding rally that kept the score equal 2‑2 at one point.
- After a lightning‑induced delay that sent everyone scrambling for a charge‑up, the sidelines paused for almost 30 minutes.
- When play resumed, Achour dominated the remainder of the match, taking the second set 6‑3.
- He now faces No. 3 seed Matias Ruiz of Jones College, who strolled into the octagon, 6‑1, 6‑1.
What’s Next?
Both Filip and Alexandr are set to raise the stakes next week. With the tournament heating up, the EFSC squad’s confidence is soaring, and the crowd is pumped. Stay tuned for more hair‑raising rallies and unforgettable moments from the tennis floor.
EFSC Tennis Team Makes a Splash at the NJCAA National Showdown
Back in Florence, South Carolina, the Eastern Florida State College Men’s Tennis squad kicked off the NJCAA Division I tournament with a bang. A mix of sweat, elbow grease, and a dash of New‑York‑style confidence turned the court into a stage for victories and a few dramatic delays.
Day One Drama – Pablo’s Solo Sprint
- Pablo Garcia Rodriguez charged onto the court with a 4‑0 advantage before the inevitable pause. When the match resumed, Sandro Giangregorio from Prairie State shook the score to 4‑3. But our hero didn’t let the pressure slide. García clinched the first set at 6‑4 with flair, then smacked the second set clean—6‑0. That’s a wake‑up call for the competition.
- Next up: a face‑off with #5 seed Axel Le Ho from Wallace State, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. May hold the prize.
Lightning Fast Singles
- Thomas Kurz Cardozo rolled through his #5 seed showdown in a scene‑stealer: 6‑0, 6‑1 in under an hour. Quarterfinal match looms against Halford’s Alejandro Rotundo at the same time slot—10:30 a.m. Game, set, match!
- Konstantin Kukaras was no slouch either. He nailed a straight‑sets win (6‑0, 6‑1) over Weatherford’s Alejandro Rozo. Next battle: Pratt’s Sixto Gologart, the #5 seed. Best of the best, here we come.
Dynamic Doubles Showdown
- Achour & Zakaria Achour (No. 1 pair) kicked off around 8 p.m. and sliced the Marion Military duo (Flex Howard & Bryce Manalo) off the court with a crisp 6‑1, 6‑1. Next up: Cowley’s Juwan Bae & Dan Hosono. Time? 2 p.m.
- Salva Mulet and Sormaz (No. 2, top‑seeded) rested through the first round before facing Meridian’s Blakeney Allen and Badlwin Escobar at 2 p.m. Perfect chance to show off their heat‑up strategy.
- Pablo Garcia & Thomas Kurz teamed up for the #3 doubles bracket, taking on Coastal Alabama’s David Gimenez & Alvaro Velasco at 2 p.m. The last night’s clash was a three‑set thriller; our duo kept the momentum going. Double trouble in the making.
With the first day sorted and the schedule set, the EFSC crew stays buzzing, ready to push further into the tournament. If you think the tennis courts were the only thing hot in Florence, think again—these athletes are scorched with ambition!
Breaking News: Space Coast Daily Claim the Crown!
On May 12, 2025, the Space Coast Daily News stamped its name as the undisputed champion of Brevard County’s print media. The headline reads: “HOT OFF THE PRESS! May 12, 2025 – Space Coast Daily News, Brevard County’s Best Newspaper”, and it’s not just a fluke—this newspaper has been sprinting ahead of the competition for months.
Why the Newspaper Swoops to the Top?
- Rocket‑Fast Reporting. Articles arrive faster than a launch countdown, keeping locals in the know before the coffee even brews.
- Space‑Age Storytelling. From Mars rover updates to launchpad anecdotes, they bring the cosmos to your doorstep.
- Readers Rave. Online polls show a 92% satisfaction rating—congratulations, reporters, you’re officially the neighborhood hero!
- Eco‑Friendly Press. Green printing practices that let you feel good about reading the news while saving trees.
A Heartwarming Community Bond
Local businesses now think of the Space Coast Daily as more than a news source—they see it as a trusted partner. A neighborhood café once advertised on a front-page spread, and the result? Sales jumped, new customers lined up, and the barista’s mug now sports a gold‑leafed “Best Newspaper” sticker.
You’ve Got to See It to Believe It
So grab a coffee, pick up your favorite copy, and let the Space Coast Daily bring the latest happenings in style. After all, a newspaper that can outpace rockets deserves a spot on your bookshelf—and on the front of your fridge.